Fixing another chevy for someone....it has a rebuilt B&M Th350, and a new converter. Brought it to me to figure out why damn thing doesn't seem to want to shift into 3rd gear. I'm not familiar enough with the adjustments to the cables to do it blindly. Anyone got instructions for me? Can a cable or shifter adjustment even fix this? This car is set up like a 1970ish chevelle.
I am not sure that this is the solution but make sure that the degtent cable is not too tight. It should be pulled to the end of its travel at WOT. The othet thing I would check is that it is all the way in drive, unhook the shfter cable when it is in drive ( with the wheels ckocked of course) then move the dog until you are sure that it is in drive. Now see if the cable is in the right place. There are other adjustements that maybe the transmission guys can guide you through.
I had mine rebuilt about 6 months ago. When I got it back, it would shift fine. But some times it would drop from 2nd to drive and I'd have to shift it back to third. My trans guy first checked the modulator. It controls shift points internally. It's located near the rear, on the p***enger side of the ******. Pull the vacuum hose off and inside is a very tiny screw for making adjustments. You'll need a flathead that's about 1/8" wide, at the most. Slip it inside and turn it in or out in half turn incriments. You'll need to road test after each adjustment to dial it in to the shift points you desire. Now, that's IF it's the modulator. My trans guy told me there's a small spring inside the valve body that activates the 2nd to 3rd shift. He told me to drive it for a while and it might fix itself or he'd go back into it. I drove it for a couple weeks with it shifting down to 3rd by itself. Then, one day, it worked like it's supposed to. I have not had problems since then. Hope this helps. I'm not a trans expert. I'm just relaying my experiences. Have you tried Googling B&M for the shifter instructions?
I have, all it's come up with is stuff for their shifter. not a stock one like this has. I've also been on hold with tech support for about 45 minutes....
The shifter needs to be adjusted so that the shifter is in N when the transmission is in N, so it is not putting pressure on the linkage. The cable should be fully pulled out when the throttle is all the way open. And it should spring back when you close the throttle. The vacuum hose needs to be connected to manifold vacuum. The governor could be stuck, it's under the round cover near the back, on the side. There could be other problems either in the valve body or inside the transmission....they're kind of hard to figure out over the internet. What does B&M say?
Hitch, as long as it is NOT a full manual valve body, do this. After you check all the basics and what ever has been mentioned, lets eliminate the shifter and cable or linkage all together. Warm it up thoroughly and get it out into the street, disconect the cable or linkage, and manually place the selector in Drive or 3rd gear. Drive it and see if this changes anything.
I don't know how to adjust the cable. Nearest I can tell its a 68-69 chevelle shifter set up on the floor. I'll try what traditions said in the morning.
Disconnect the cable where it adjusts. Put the shifter in N, put the transmission in N, then adjust the cable so you can attach it without having to move anything. Or do what he suggested, to try it. Be very careful, driving while not having control of the transmission is kind of dangerous.